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Low awareness of threats facing wild birds - survey
“Wildlife and our natural world can recover, it can be saved for future generations."

RSPB releases song bird track to raise awareness of wildlife threats 

The UK is in danger of ‘sleepwalking into a natural tragedy’, the RSPB has warned, as a new survey reveals that just 15 per cent of people are aware of the crisis facing our wildlife.

Worryingly, the charity said over a quarter of respondents (27 per cent) mistakenly thought nature was doing well, while one in three young people were unaware that the UK has lost more than 40 million birds in the past 50 years.

Conversely, 82 per cent of people said bird song makes them feel positive. When presented with the troubling facts about declining numbers of wild birds, half (49 per cent) said they were upset, a third (31 per cent) said they were angry and 84 per cent said the government should do more. Over a third of young people want to do something to save nature.

Today (26 April), the RSPB released a track of pure bird song into the charts to raise awareness of what we may lose if nothing is done to halt the declines.

Martin Harper, RSPB’s director of conservation, said: “The signs are all around us that something is not right, that nature is falling silent and you only need to stop and listen to find the beautiful bird song that should be the background music to our life is absent.

"But no one is talking about the crisis facing wildlife and nature in the UK. We all need to start talking about this, and the Let Nature Sing track is a good starting point as it perfectly highlights the music we risk losing.

“Wildlife and our natural world can recover, it can be saved for future generations, but we need more people to talk about the issue and how much something as simple and wonderful as bird song means to each of us. Because if we do not start talking about the threats facing nature the inspiration behind so much of our music, poetry and literature may go silent.”

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.